The Highveld Horse Care Unit is one of 4 Units in SA: the others are Eastern Cape Horse Care Unit ( EC HCU), a branch of HHCU, KZN HCU based at the Kloof and Highway SPCA, and WC HCU based at Grassy Park SPCA - the latter two being based at and managed by their respective SPCA's. HHCU and EC HCU are independent Section 21 Companies, independently operated. All of the Units obtain their income by various fundraising ventures, appeals, sponsorships and operational charges. All four Units liaise with each other on operational matters, national problems etc.



BACKGROUND
The Highveld HCU became official in 1991, when funding was obtained from the National Thoroughbred Trust. Until then, from 1982, equine work had been carried out by Bev Seabourne-Bauer who was the manager of the local SPCA.

Carthorses in the townships of Evaton, Sharpeville and Sebokeng were assisted with shoeing (the SANDF provided assistance), de-worming and owners were educated regarding harnessing and feeding. Hundreds of horses were inspected and assisted locally, and calls began to come in for assistance in outlying areas. Bushracing practices were investigated, and the plight of horses coming up from the Cape for slaughter was exposed. The SPCA could not burden the costs of these investigations, and Bev made a successful application to the National Thoroughbred Trust for financial assistance. The Unit was then moved to the old municipal pound just outside Sharpeville, but due to the political unrest, proved hopelessly unsuitable. Revenge attacks were made on the horses in custody, and after approx. a year of being based there, the Unit moved to the back of the SPCA, where small camps and shelters were constructed. Eventually the Unit grew too big for the property, and the Highveld Farm in Randvaal was obtained through the generosity of the racing industry. We have been on the farm for the last 11 years, and the property has been much improved upon.

Today the Highveld Horse Care Unit is a Section 21 Company in its own right, responsible for its own management, funding and operations, and is the largest equine welfare organisation in the Southern hemisphere.

The National Thoroughbred Trust which initially managed and channelled funding to the Units, has evolved into the National Horse Trust, and is now an administrative and fundraising body

The National Horse Trust (NHT) is one of the main funders of HHCU and EC HCU - we benefit from every cent raised.  NHT sponsors two of our staff - Megan Hope of EC HCU, and Ashley Ness, trainee inspector HHCU. NHT also funds approved special projects at other Units.

STABLES AT THE UNIT:
We have the facility to stable 30 horses at the Unit. Very often we have more than this in custody, so horses may have to sleep out, or, in a few rare cases, share a stable!



Recently, through the generosity of sponsors, we have made many improvements to the farm. A donation of R25,000 by Alan Hirsch for his companys' 25th anniversary has enabled us to build more paddocks and shelters, and upgrade existing paddocks, amongst other things. A donation of asbestos sheets valued at R36,000 by Everite in Kliprivier will enable us to completely re-roof our stables.

Another tremendous donation of two vehicles in 2004 by the National Thoroughbred Horse Racing Trust has meant that we are now able to carry out our inspections and transport horses in safety. We still have our original two bakkies from 1992 which are used for local calls, collecting feed etc., but with 380,000 km's on the clock they are not reliable enough for long-distance work.

A brand new Venter horsebox was donated by Herve Colin of Alfa Farms, Eikenhof, which has been of great value to us - our original horsebox was donated in 1992 by the International League for the Protection of Horses, England, and has loyally transported our horses and donkeys for the last 13 years. As our workload has grown, both boxes are often out at the same time collecting township horses for hospitalisation, or confiscated horses.

STABLE CATS
Very heartsore, we lost Tigger, our resident ratcatcher in 2006 - he was about 12 years old, and Tony Chase, the retired ex-chairman of the HHCU who sponsored our cats died this year - he was a wonderful man and a great friend.

Miss Tiggy arrived about as a semi-wild, thin mangy kitten, and who is now spayed and vaccinated, and quite at home. We have a total of 5 stable cats.

STAFF:

Bev Seabourneis the manager of both HHCU and EC HCU. She is a qualified Senior Animal Welfare Inspector, and started up the Unit in 1991. She has worked with animals all her life, firstly as a zoo keeper, working her way up as a dolphin trainer in Europe and the Far East, and then as a Veterinary Nurse in Wales. She has been involved in animal welfare since 1982. One thing not many people know about Bev: she was an international dolphin trainer in the seventies

Bobbie Niederberger has been with the Unit since January 2000, and is a qualified Inspector, carrying out the majority of the distant calls. Bobbie also does the Unit accounts, and the re-homing of horses from the Unit and their follow-up inspections. Bobbie has worked with horses for many years, starting her career with show ponies in England and then travelling extensively with Internatonal Showjumpers. One thing not many people know about Bobbie: she worked as an international groom to top showjumpers in her early career with horses

Nadia Saunderson, who is also a qualified Inspector, is a jack-of-all-trades! Nadia assists with the administration, inspections, stables, and PR and fundraising. Being the youngest, she also works and evaluates the horses which come into the Unit for re-homing. One thing not many people know about Nadia: she is of Italian descent

Solly Motungue is our township Inspector, who started at the Unit early in 2005. His employment and travelling is sponsored by a Johannesburg businessman. Having Solly at the Unit has enabled us to finally tackle the problem of working horses, which has been our goal for many years. He works mostly in townships which are not covered by any other animal welfare organisation, and is out every day educating, issuing second-hand tack to owners and providing basic treatment to any horse or donkey needing his assistance. One thing not many people know about Solly: he has worked in animal welfare for the past 15 years

Johan Strydom qualified as an Inspector in 2007. He is our farm manager, supervising the maintenance, repairs and building. He services our vehicles and computers, and still has to find the time to inspect and monitor all of the security horses. Johan also transports the majority of horses to and from the Unit. One thing not many people know about Johann: he loves 'Curly Wurlies' the english toffee/chocolate that you cannot buy in South Africa - he once helped himself to Bev's secret stash from England!

Dr Dale Wheeler has been the Unit veterinarian for almost 10 years, during which time he has donated his professional expertise and services. He is also a committee member. Dr Wheeler is employed by the National Horse Racing Association.

Trevor Mosia has been with the Unit since June 2007. He is a trainee Inspector who was taken on to assist Solly Motungue with our ever-growing township work. Trevor is compassionate about animals, particularly horses, and has amazed us with his learning ability - he had no equine background, but has fitted in perfectly. One thing not many people know about Trevor: he studied Business Management at university

Ashley Ness joined us in early 2009, she is a trainee inspector - she will qualify in the second half of 2009, and will be a very competent inspector. Ashley accompanies Bobbie on the majority of inspections, and carries out most of the 're-check' inspections. She is also responsible for monitoring security horses, where she is doing a brilliant job! Ashley has a great way with people, which is a very important part of the inspectors job. Ashley grew up with horses - in fact, as a child, she lived at the Unit when it was 'Kingfisher Stables' many moons ago! She has remained a competetive rider, and helps Nadia work and train the Unit horses as part of their rehoming assessment. One thing not many people know about Ashley: She is a brilliant mimic